Monday, April 24, 2017

(Beirut) The two bishops who were abducted in Aleppo in 2013, "are still alive". This was from the Syrian Orthodox Bishop, Daniel Kourié, on the 47th anniversary of the Marian apparition above the cupola of the Peter and Paul Cathedral of Mousseitbé, a suburb of Beirut.

The memorial of the apparition of the Virgin Mary is always on the first Sunday after Easter. This year, the anniversary coincided with the fourth anniversary of the abduction of two bishops in Aleppo. On April 22, 2013, the Syrian Orthodox Bishop of Aleppo, Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim, and the Greek Orthodox Archbishop of the city, Boulos Yazigi, were abducted.

Bishop Daniel Kourié is the representative of his church for the abduction case. The Commission, led by him, had "knocked at every possible door", in Syria and Lebanon, to find traces of the two bishops.

"Religious and ethnic cleansing in the Middle East"

Bishop Kourié called on the Lebanese state to make the abduction case a "national cause". At the same time, the bishop complained about "religious and ethnic cleansing in the Middle East, especially in Syria, Iraq and Egypt." He criticized the states, which supported these purges under various forms "with men, weapons and money".

The miracles of Mousseitbé have been recognized as genuine by the Syrian Orthodox Church. The other churches in the country took little notice of them "because they were all still fixed on themselves, even to such phenomena as a warning and an appeal to unity, in the face of the first forebodings of the Islamic danger," said Fady Noun , A leading Maronite publicist of Lebanon.

Saturday, February 4, 2017

Archbishop Ramon Cabrera Arguelles of Lipa was prematurely retired from his office yesteday, clearly because of his position on a non-approved "Marian Apparition"

(Manila) Pope Francis received the resignation yesterday of Archbishop Ramon Cabrera Argüelles of Lipa in the Philippines as it is revealed in the daily bulletin of the Vatican. At the same time, he appointed a successor, the Monsignor Gilbert Garcera, whom he transferred from the bishop's seat from Daet to Lipa.

The retirement of Archbishop Argüelles took place prematurely. The Archbishop is only 72 years old. The reference to Canon 401.2 does not provide any information as to whether he has resigned due to health problems or because of serious misconduct. A corresponding clarification of the Code of Canon Law has been suggested several times in recent years.

A Non-Approved "Marian Apparition" of Lipa

Archbishop Ramon Argüelles gained international fame in the past when, in 2015, he declared the authenticity of Lipa's alleged Marian credentials as "believable" and announced that he was convinced of the "supernatural" nature of the phenomenon.

The Archbishop, with a Marienstatue, who was supposed to haveappeared in 1948 to the Carmelite, Teresita Castillo.

Already in 2009, the Archbishop had abrogated the negative judgment of a commission of bishops. At the beginning of the 1950s several Philippine bishops had been charged with the study of the phenomenon. On 11 April 1951, the Commission concluded that the alleged phenomena were "not of a supernatural origin". A decision which had been approbated by Pope Pius XII.

On August 18, 1948 in the Carmelite convent of Lipa the novice Teresita Castillo was supposed to have received an apparition of the Mother of God. According to Teresita, there were a total of 19 "apparitions" in which the monastic garden was showered with rose petals from the sky, each bearing sacred images. The images on the rose petals, which are kept in Lipa, were the Jesus Child, St. Joseph, the blessing Jesus, the Holy Family, the Holy Spirit, the Crucified, the Last Supper and other motifs were to be seen. In the last apparition, Mary had presented herself as the "Mediator of all Graces".

Phenomena only "feigned" -- bishop who believes in authenticity, dismissed

The then Bishop of Lipa, Monsignor Alfredo Verzosa y Florentin, was convinced of the authenticity after having been shown a desired miracle. Rome, however, was skeptical and established a theological commission, which in 1949 made a negative judgment. The phenomenon of Lipa is only "feigned" by Teresita and was nevertheless "supported" by the prioress.

Bishop Verzosa was deposed from Rome. The Apostolic Administrator, who was, among several other Filipino bishops under the commission established by Pius XII,, also came to a negative conclusion.

Bishop Verzosa, behind him the Superior, on the left stand Teresita Castillo (Lipa 1948)

However, the fact that there were conversions and healings in Lipa was interpreted by the Commission with the awakened expectations that people were open for God's work.

Bishop Verzosa was prematurely made emeritus, while his auxiliary bishop, the prioress and the subprioress of the monastery were transferred. The statue of the "appeared" could no longer be shown publicly. The Carmelite convent was dissolved, but the monastery later resettled.

Recognition by the Archbishop -- Intervention of Rome

The pilgrim's stream to Lipa did not abate despite the prohibitions but increased over the years. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the "apparitions," Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the then Philippine President of the Republic had also pilgrimaged to Lipa.

The diocese of Lipa was raised to an archdiocese in 1972. Archbishop Mariano Gaviola, the predecessor of Monsignor Argüelles, reopened the public exhibition of the statue in 1992 and initiated new investigations into the phenomenon. This led Archbishop Argüelles to annul the negative verdict of 1951. In 2013 the beatification procedure for Bishop Verzosa was initiated. In 2015, Archbishop Argüelles declared the phenomenon to be "credible" and "supernatural".

In the same year, however, the Roman Congregation for Congregation intervened and declared on 15 September 2015 the decision of the Archbishop "null and void". The decision of 1951 was definitive. The Archbishop was no longer empowered. The corresponding Roman document was handed over to the Archbishop on May 30, On 16 November 2016 the Carmelite and "Seer" Teresita Castillo died at the age of 89 years. Yesterday, Archbishop Ramon Cabrera Arguelles was made emeritus.

[Update] Franciscans of the Immaculata

Archbishop Arguelles, who in the wake of the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum celebrated in the traditional form of the Roman Rite was still "negatively" apprized in another part in Rome. In July 2013, the traditional young order, Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate was placed under the provisional administration of the Congregation of Religiouswith the approval of Pope Francis. One reason for this compulsion has not been mentioned to this day. Because of the direct attack against the religious charism, tradition and the traditional Rite, members of the Order tried to find ways out of the constraint. What was contemplated, among other things, was the new foundation as an old ritual Order, which would no longer be subordinated to the Congregation of Religious, but the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei . The Vatican, however, refused and forbade any to leave the Order.

A total of six priests of the Order were also suspended in the Philippines because they tried to reestablish the Order. On June 28, 2014 in the Archdiocese of Lipa, the recognition of a public association of the faithful had taken place, as then Riposte Catholique reported. The recognition was thought of as a precursor to a new foundation test of maltreated Order of Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate . Accordingly, the Apostolic Commissioner, Fr. Fidenzio Volpi, reacted sharply, suspending the priests involved in the Order. When the matter became public, the commissioner made a public statement that spoke in a mocking tone of "ultra-traditionalist" circles, but only vaguely about the alleged "misconduct" of the priests which would justify their suspension.

Archbishop Arguelles offered the five Philippine Franciscans of the Immaculate, who had been suspended, a celebret in his archdiocese. He was by no means popular in certain Roman circles. Shortly after the incident in the Philippines Commissioner Volpi threatened Italian bishops, if they should dare to establish Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate in their dioceses. At the same time, the Commissioner asserted in all seriousness that the Franciscans of the Immaculate wanted to "overthrow" Pope Francis.

The premature end of his term of office is seen in the Philippines in the context of his attitude to the events of Lipa. A connection with the Franciscans of the Immaculate is not excluded. The Archbishop had not been popular in Rome.

According to reports from Messa in Latino, Archbishop Arguelles learned from the Internet of his dismissal. There would be no question of a resignation which the pope had "accepted." In Daily Bulletin there is an official version that says nothing about the background. Archbishop Arguelles would thus feel the "merciful" arm of Pope Francis get as Bishop Rogelio Livieres of Ciudad del Este in Paraguay experienced it. Under a pretext, Msgr. Livieres had been lured to Rome, where Pope Francis let him stand in front of closed doors, while at home the locks of the bishop's residence were changed. In spite of the bishop's insistence, Francis refused to listen to the bishop who had been deposed. Bishop Livieres was neither given "dialogue" nor "mercy". The "guilt" of Bishop Livieres was that he was too traditional and had succeeded with his priestly seminary, which had almost three times as many seminarians as all the other dioceses of the country together. He had become the "trouble maker" in a bishop's conference riddled indifferentism and liberation theology.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

(Buenos Aires) The Apparitions of San Nicolás de los Arroyos in Argentina have been recognized. The competent diocesan bishop, Msgr. Hector Sabatino Cardelli, recognized the supernatural character of the events on Sunday, May 22.

San Nicolás de los Arroyos is located approximately 250 kilometers northwest of Buenos Aires and is the capital of a separate diocese of the ecclesiastical province Rosario. Since 1983 the Mother of God has appeared to a mother, Gladys Quiroga de Motta. The seer, a simple woman who is now already a grandmother, has the stigmata of Jesus.

Stigmatized seer

Gladys Quiroga de Motta submitted to obedience to ecclesiastical authority from the beginning. Annually an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary appears in the same day. Most recently, 250,000 believers gathered on this particular day.

Gladys Quiroga de Motta lives in utmost seclusion and spends most of the day in prayer. The reigning Bishop of San Nicolás de los Arroyos, Msgr. Hector Sabatino Cardelli have already celebrated Holy Masses and led processions to to the place on the river Paraná, where a large church is built. The order for this have been received from the Blessed Mother by the stigmatist.

A spring was found said place, as indicated by the publication. Church history is replete with such visions, where the Blessed Mother appears to the faithful, demands the establishment of a church and names the exact building site. In such places arose pilgrimage sites which drew numerous faithful to pilgrimage and pray.

White Scapular for those who suffer in body and soul

The Statue of San Nicolas de Arroyos

The white scapular of Gladys Quiroga de Motta is recognized by ecclesiastical authority, which is designated according to the Marian apparition in a special way for those who suffer in body and soul.

Father Carlos Pérez, the spiritual director of the stigmatized, has always been convinced of the authenticity of her statements. So far, more than 1,800 messages have been made, which were given to the seer according to instructions. Their publication has been authorized by the former bishop of San Nicolas, Msgr. Domingo Salvador Castagna, bishop of 1984-1994. Bishop Castagna said at the time: "I firmly believe that it is an event of the Virgin Mary."

Now his successor has recognized the supernatural character of the apparitions of San Nicolás. A few days ago, Bishop Cardelli led the second diocesan annual pilgrimage to the new Church of St. Mary of the Rosary. On this occasion he announced the official recognition of the phenomenon. The Church had examined the event in the past for more than 30 years and checked it accurately. It was in followed in a process by the prescribed critea of the universal Church. The Chur h considers three questions in such events: "Is a phenomenon of natural origin, it is a work of the devil, or it is of supernatural origin?" The answer to these questions is in the specific case, constat de supernaturalitate. The apparitions are definitely given of a supernatural character.

Maria "Forever Queen and Mistress"

Recognition decree of the Apparitions

The assessment of such a phenomena is the responsibility and authority of the local bishop. As such, Bishop Cardelli, speaks with the judgment of the Church. The Apparitions of San Nicolás de los Arroyos are now among the officially recognized supernatural apparitions by the Catholic Church. The messages have been recognized as authentic. The recognition by the Church does not mean that believers have to believe in the messages or the authenticity. They are not part of the divine revelation.

The decree of approval of Bishop Cardelli ends with the words:

"Finally, and has just as the holy Virgin Mother of God asked, I beg to heaven on behalf of the whole diocese, that she may be forever the Queen and Mistress of San Nicolás de los Arroyos."

The Diocese of San Nicolás de los Arroyos was established in 1947 by Pope Pius XII. from parts of the former archdiocese of La Plata and what is today the Archdiocese of Mercedes. It has 422,000 Catholics, which corresponds to 92 percent of the population. There are 101 diocesan and 13 religious priests active in the diocese.

The number of priests has risen since the mid-80s, when the apparitions began, by 70 percent. Initially there was one priest to 7,100 faithful, now there is one for every 3,700 faithful m.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

The ZDF (German Television Two) is showing a three part series about the miracles and unusual occurances in the Church -- following an idea from Andreas Englisch -- First part is available -- kathTube-special: The Tears of the Madonna of Syracuse.

Mainz [kath.net] Madonnas weeping blood, people, who are suddenly cured of serious illnesses or supposedly bear the wounds of Jesus: Are the unexplained phenomena signs of God's influence or deception of charlatanry? And why does the Catholic Church need miracles? The three part documentary "Power of Miracles -- The Secrets of the Vatican" began yesterday, Tuesday, the 26th of October. The following episodes are set for Tuesday at 20.15. The idea for the film comes finally from Andreas Englisch, the former Vatican Correspondent of the newspaper BILD.

The investigation follows authors Volker Schmidt-Sonderman and Peter Syudow in the wings of the Vatican, but also the holy sites throughout the entire world. People explain initially "their" miracles for the camera, experts contracted by ZDF attempt to explain the miracles with scientific methods. And finally it gets to the question, why Pope John Paul II., who more people raise "to the honor of the altars" than any of his predecessors, is to be canonized.

Part I, "When Madonnas Weep", explains among other things a story from Civitavecchia, where in 1995 a statue of the Mother of God in the garden of the family Gregori should have wept blood for give consecutive days.. Thousands of pilgrims have drawn to this village north of Rome. Actually, the Vatican doesn't recognize the "miracle". The statue was taken away and medically tested -- proof can not be obtained. Only one "weeping miracle" has been recognized by the Vatican up to this point, it is said to have happened in 1953 in Syracuse, Sicily. The ZDF-Three part series takes the objections and shows exciting components: how does the strict Congregation decide what are miracles, and which are not? Which role does the "voice of the people" play? And why did John Paul II have a Marian statue brought from Civitavecchia to Rome, in order to pray to her?

Part 2, "When those marked by death come back to life", runs on Tuesday, November 2nd, 20.15 hrs, among other things in the Marian Shrine of Medjugorje, where the Mother of God is said to regularly appear before six seers. More than fifty million people, among them many priests, have pilgrimaged, to a site which the Vatican has refused recognition.

"Who fights with the devil" is the title of the 3rd part of the documentary, which will air at the same time as the previous two. One of the features of this show will be the Capuccin priest, Padre Pio, who was canoized by John Paul II. in 2002 . This was astonishing, above all for the reason that his predecessor held Padre Pio, who is said to have born the wounds of Jesus and had the power of bilocation, for a swindler and a cheat.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Our Lady is appearing to Copts in the poorest neighborhoods of Cairo. She doesn't say anything, but her presence speaks nonetheless. Like children, the Copts and some Muslims crowd around her mantel, seeking protection, maternal love and hope. The following is from "The Watchers Lamp" blog.

(ANSAmed) - CAIRO - Exorcisms and alleged apparitions of the Virgin Mary are occurring in Cairo, in two of the city's poorest neighbourhoods, and the two phenomena are drawing in throngs of the faithful, mostly Christian Copts but Muslims as well. The most recent event is the one which occurred last Friday in the El Waaraq neighbourhood, located in the Giza area. The Egyptian Gazette reports that many claim to have personally witnessed the Virgin Mary on the roof of St. Michaels church with her arms opening in their direction, while the smell of incense and a flock of doves surrounded the area. This event allegedly occurred at least twice, but a Church appointee was unable to capture it on video. People are now awaiting for the return of Copt pope Shenouda III to return to Cairo from the USA on the day after tomorrow. He is expected to set up a committee that will look into the alleged apparitions, and to decide on the now sizeable amount of money offered by the faithful.

NAZARETH, Israel — A Palestinian nun who co-founded a charity dedicated to educating Arab girls on Sunday took an important step toward sainthood.

Thousands of worshippers gathered in the biblical town of Nazareth to attend the beatification of the late Sister Maria Alfonsina Danil Ghattas.

Ghattas helped found the Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of Jerusalem in the 1880s. The order, highly regarded in Palestinian communities, continues to run schools for Palestinian girls in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Ghattas died in Jerusalem in 1927 at the age of 83.

During Sunday's ceremony, the church unveiled a portrait of Ghattas.

Pope Benedict XVI approved the beatification in July — the final step before sainthood.

"The beatification of such an important figure of a woman is a particular comfort for the Catholic community in the Holy Land," Benedict said during his traditional Sunday noon blessing in St. Peter's Square.

On November 22, Sister Marie Alphonsine will be solemnly beatified in the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth. This is an opportunity to reflect on the life of this girl from Jerusalem to whom the Holy Virgin inspired the founding of the Congregation of the Rosary Sisters , the only indigenous religious community in the Holy Land. Sultanah Maria Ghattas was born in Jerusalem on the 4th of October, 1843, and baptized on the 19th of November the same year. On 18th July, 1852, she received the Sacrament of Confirmation from the hands of His Beatitude Giuseppe Valerga, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem.

At the age of 14, she joined the Congregation of St. Joseph of the Apparition as a Postulant. On the 30th of June, 1860, she received the Holy Habit of the Religious of St. Joseph of the Apparition. Two years later, in 1862, she pronounced her three vows. In Bethlehem where she was assigned, she was entrusted with the teaching of Catechism. Besides, she founded Confraternities and Associations and promoted the devotion to Our Lady through the prayer of the Rosary.

She was favored with several apparitions of Our Lady who revealed to Mother Marie Alphonsine Her desire to begin the Congregation of the Rosary. The Virgin Mary appointed Fr. Joseph Tannous as her Director to administer the Congregation of the Rosary.

Worthy Initiative

Purpose

This is a polemical Catholic Royalist blog. It will also attempt to provide a window onto various events, situations and personalities not generally or favorably presented to the purview of the general public in the English speaking world. It also hopes to be a bridge for those who wish to cross over, unite and fight for the truth.